Weekly Social Media Update
Ping – iTunes Social Network
Last week Apple launched Ping, their iTunes-based social network. Described as “Facebook meets Twitter meets iTunes”, the new service will allow people to follow artists and friends (like Twitter), create a profile that displays their musical tastes (like Last.fm and Spotify), and a news stream showing what your friends are listening to (like Blip.fm, mFlow and various other streaming services).
It has all been done before, but not necessarily all in the same place: with 160 million iTunes users, it stands a fighting chance of overtaking other social music networks. One million users signed up in the first 48 hours, but if it’s true that one-third of the people who have downloaded iTunes 10 have joined Ping, that still leaves two-thirds who didn’t bother. Take a look at the video tutorial here, give it a try, and see what you think.
Lady Gaga on Ping
Social iPlayer
The new, socially connected iPlayer has finally emerged after months of beta testing. New features include the ability to personalize your viewing experience by connecting with Facebook and Twitter,as well as recommending and commenting on your favourite programmes.
Facebook Credits Gift Cards
Gift cards loaded with Facebook Credits are now available at US retail giant Target. The virtual currency allows users to purchase goods within Facebook’s plethora of social games and applications. The virtual goods market is expected to reach $1.6 billion in the US alone this year, with $835 million coming from social games alone (figures from Inside Facebook). If this launch proves successful, expect to see similar partnerships in the UK soon.
Facebook Credits Gift Card
Draw and Fold Over
The Campaign for Drawing is gearing up for October’s Big Draw with a fun “Draw and Fold Over” game. Simply start a digital drawing on the microsite, then pass it on for your friends to complete via Facebook and Twitter. Thanks to our Edinburgh friends @davelaw00 and @lalrinn for brightening my Monday with this – see if you can make one better than ours!
Draw and Fold Over
Tags: bbc, Big Draw, Blip.fm, Campaign for Drawing, Draw and Fold Over, Facebook, Facebook Credits, gift cards, iplayer, iTunes, Lady Gaga, Last FM, Mflow, Ping, social iPlayer, Social Media, social networks, Spotify, target, twitter, virtual currency
